An official at the presidential office told reporters that the summit between Park and Abe will be confirmed as soon as Tokyo agrees with the offer. If confirmed, the leaders will be sitting down for a summit for the first time since they took office.

During her trip to Washington two weeks ago, Park said she was open to a one-on-one meeting with Abe, but urged Tokyo to show a sincere attitude on the issue of Korean women forced into sexual slavery during World War II.

Along with Abe, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang will arrive in Seoul for a three-day visit on Saturday. Li will be visiting Seoul also for first time since he assumed office in 2013.

Li is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Park on Saturday, and separate meetings with National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn.

A welcoming reception hosted by Korean business representatives is also planned for Lee, Cheong Wa Dae said, adding that the exact date for the trilateral meeting has not been confirmed yet.

Li’s visit was also announced by China’s Foreign Ministry. Arrangements are being made for Li to also meet bilaterally with Abe during their stay in Seoul, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters during a regular press briefing.

Li’s visit to South Korea will help further develop bilateral relations between South Korea and China, and will also help “promote regional peace and prosperity,” Hua said.

By Cho Chung-un(christory@heraldcorp.com)